Spinning and like textile machines of the direct drive type



Aug. 1, 1961 w. LEUTERT 2,994,182

SPINNING AND LIKE TEXTILE MACHINES OF THE DIRECT DRIVE TYPE Filed Dec. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WALTER LEUTERT INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 1, 1961 w LEUTERT 2,994,182

SPINNING AND LIKE TEXTILE MACHINES OF THE DIRECT DRIVE TYPE Filed Dec. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WALTER LEUT R lNVEN TOR fiw'q' ATTORNEYS Unite The present invention relates generally to spinning machines including all textile machines or frames provided with spindles and which are used either for the spinning operation proper or for twisting, stranding, etc. It concerns the machines in which the spindles are positively driven through appropriate gearings by at least one driving shaft extending along the length of the machine, such as the machines wherein the gearings between the driving shaft and the spindles comprise worms and worm wheels. In these machines each row of spindles is generally supported by a hollow rail which at the same time forms a case for the spindle driving gearings. When the machine is in operation, the unavoidable friction causes heating of the gearings and of the rail or case which supports the spindles. This rail or case therefore expands longitudinally with respect tothe reciprocatable rail which carries the spinning rings adapted to cooperate with the spindles. It follows that at least some of the rings become noticeably decentered with respect to the corresponding spindles, thus causing a defective operation of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, this is avoided by driving the spindle rail or gear easing into a number of separate sections disposed in endwise relation and so mounted on the framework of the machine that each section is rigidly secured by one of its ends on an element of the said framework, while its other end is on the contrary quite free to expand in the longitudinal direction with respect to the adjacent end of the next section, which latter end is itself rigidly secured to the framework, the ring supporting rail being guided in a parallel direction with respect to the axis of the spindles by guiding members secured to the said framework.

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view with parts in section showing a spinning machine according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a large scale fragmental longitudinal section illustrating the arrangement of the adjacent ends of two successive sections of the spindle rail or gear case.

With reference to the drawing a spindle machine with direct drive of the spindles, as for instance by means of Worm wheels and of worms, comprises a stationary framework formed for instance, of a number of stands 1 interconnected by longitudinal members 2.

The stationary framework thus formed supports the various elements of the machine and more particularly at least one spindle carrying rail 3, generally termed spindle gear case. This carrying rail or case comprises a driving shaft rotated by the end gearing 4 of the machine and which carries worm wheels, each such wheel being in mesh with a worm associated with one of the spindles to be rotated, such spindles being for instance vertical as shown.

A spinning ring 6 is associated with each spindle 5, more particularly for ensuring a regular winding of the yarn on the spools, all these rings being carried by a ring supporting rail 7 which is reciprocated in parallel relation with respect to the axes of the spindles 5, i.e. vertically in the embodiment illustrated.

For a clear understanding of the invention it should be remarked that the operation of a spinning machine of the kind described results in a relatively rapid heating of States atent the spindle rail or gear case which encloses parts rotating at a high speed.

While this heating of the spindle rail or gear case is in i no way damageable to the mechanical parts, it is never theless liable to cause, under the action of the expansion of the said rail or case, noticeable relative displacements in the longitudinal direction (i.e. in a direction parallel to the length of the rail or case 3) between the spindles -5 and the spinning rings 6 adapted to cooperate with the.

said spindles, since the said rings 6 are carried by the ring rail 7, i.e. by a member which is not submitted to any substantial heating during operation of the machine and which therefore does not expand in proportion to the expansion of the spindle rail 3.

This may be illustrated by the following example: for

3 with respect to the ring rail 7 is reduced or practically suppressed in the following manner:

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spindle rail or gear case 3 is divided into a number of separate sections such as A and B, disposed in endwise relation and so mounted on the framework of the machine that each section is rigidly secured by one of its ends on an element of the said framework. Its other end is on the contrary quite free to expand in the longitudinal direction with respect to the adjacent end of the next section, which latter end is itself rigidly secured to the framework.

The reciprocating ring rail 7 is guided in its movement parallel to the spindle axes by members secured onto the framework of the machine, as for instance by vertical columns 8 which are conveniently used for supporting other mechanisms and/ or members arranged in the upper portion of the machine. The aforesaid ring rail comprises for this purpose guiding sleeves 9 slidably mounted on the said columns 8.

The position of each ring 6 on the ring rail 7 in the longitudinal direction thereof is preferably so selected that in the cold state each ring is slightly eccentric with respect to the axis on the corresponding spindle 5, on the side thereof which corresponds to the direction in which the rail or gear case section which carries the said spindle may expand freely, and that on the other hand at the maximum operating temperature expected for the spindle rail 3 each ring 6 is eccentric with respect to the corresponding spindle on the opposed side thereof, i.e. on the side which corresponds to the end of the said section which is rigidly secured onto the machine framework.

It will be appreciated that with such an arrangement, the individual expansions of the successive sections of the spindle rail or gear case do not add to each other on the length of the spinning machine, and that the expansion of a given section may at most affect the centering of the spindles farthest from the end of the said section which is secured to the framework, the displacement of a spindle with respect to a corresponding ring taking place in any case within the above mentioned limits of eccentricity.

It is to be remarked in this respect that the difference between the two limits of eccentricity corresponding to a given spindle increases as this spindle is nearer to the free end of the section by which it is supported.

The aforesaid limits of eccentricity of the spindles with respect to the corresponding rings is preferably so selected that at the normal operating temperature of the spindle rail or gear case 3, the spindles 5 are correctly centered with respect to their rings. With such an arrangement, the small temperature variations of the spindle rail above or below the said normal operating temperature only cause a very slight decentering of the axis of each spindle on one or the other side with respect to the axis of the corresponding ring. The stands 1 may conveniently be situated below the adjacent ends A and 'B of the successive sections of the spindle frame or casing, the length of each section being for instance 1 metre. In such a case one end of each section such as B (FIG. 2) is secured onto the corresponding stand 1 by means of bolts such as 10 and the adjacent end of the other section A is slidably carried by the said section B by means of a centering ring 11 which is engaged into the facing ends of both sections, the said ends being separated in the cold state by a clearance j. A resilient layer 12, as for instance of sponge rubber, may conveniently be disposed in the said clearance j, this layer having a hole for passage of the centering ring 11. The role of this resilient layer is to prevent the access into the said clearance of hard particles or objects liable to prevent free expansion of the sections.

In a general manner, while I have, in the above description, disclosed what I deem to be practical and efiicient embodiment of my invention, it should be well understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition I claim: I

A textile machine which comprises, in combination, a frame, a longitudinal row of parallel spindles and a longitudinal row of spinning rings adapted to cooperate with said spindles respectively, driving means for said spindles operatively connected therewith, a plurality of spindle driving means casings, each of said casings comprising an elongated box enclosing the driving means of several consecutive spindles of said spindle row, said casings being disposed end to end to form a longitudinal row, each of said casings being fixed at one end to said frame, an annular sleeve fixed in said end of each casing, the axis of said sleeve extending in the direction of said last mentioned row, the other end of each of said casings being slidably guided in the sleeve fixed in the next casing, and means carried by said frame for slidably guiding said spinning rings in a direction parallel to that of said spindles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,295,935 Cotchett Sept. 15, 1942 2,690,641 Keyser Oct. 5, 1954 2,880,565 -Leutert Apr. 7, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 702,938 Great Britain Jan. 27, 1954 935,655 Germany Nov. 24, 1955 EJNETED STATES PATENT @EFEUICE @ERMFEQATE Patent No. 2 994 182 August 1 1961 Walter Leuterir It is hereby certified that error appears in fhhe above numbered pair entrequiring correctien and "that the eaid Letters Patent should read as corrected below,

In the heading to the printed speeification line 8 for "Switzerland read Luxembur'g Signed and sealed this 9th day of January 1962.,

(SE-AL Attest:

ERNEST SEER Attesting Ufficer DAVED L.

Cemmissioner of Patents 

